Spool holder and support system

ABSTRACT

A spool holder and support comprising an axle and two support members, wherein one portion of the peripheral edge of the support members comprises a radius that increases logarithmically in an outward spiral, and wherein another portion of the peripheral edge of the support members connects the inner and outer termini of the spiral section in a straight line. A series, of axle supports are disposed on the surfaces of the support members, including in an array that allows multiple axles for supporting multiple spools. Removable wheels for transporting the system are incorporated into the support members, allowing it to be moved into position, and anchors to hold the device in place can be attached to the support members. A handle, connecting the support members allows heavy spools to be lifted off the ground for dispensing stranded material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

None

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material thatis subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objectionto the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or thepatent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office fileor records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Devices for holding wire and cable spools are known in the art. Modernspool holders comprise a base with an adjustable vertical member. Aspool holder arm attached to the vertical member allows an attachedspool to spin, dispensing its contents. Spools must be lifted onto aholder by hand. Depending on the spool weight, a jack stand may be usedto adjust the height of the spool holder. In other cases, a forklift ormechanical hoist may be required. Because these actions are difficult,an improved spool holder capable of easily lifting and transportingheavy spooled material is needed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a spool support forlifting a heavy wire spool or other spooled material. Another object isto provide a device for simultaneously lifting multiple spools. Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a device operable by a singleperson. Another object of the invention is to provide a easilytransportable and maneuverable device, obviating the need to move heavyspools. Another object of the invention is to provide a support devicethat locks in place when spools are lifted into a dispensing position.Another object of the invention is to provide a spool holder withconforming parts for stacking multiple collapsed devices uniformly.These and other objects of the invention are disclosed and more fullydeveloped in the appended summary, description and claims.

SUMMARY

A spool support device elevates and holds spooled wire, tubing, or otherstranded material. The device comprises two large substantially flatsupport members, each member comprising a first rounded peripheralsection increasing logarithmically in diameter. This first section ofthe periphery defines a uniform spiral. In one embodiment a logarithmicor “golden” spiral is defined. A second peripheral section comprises astraight line segment connecting the outer and inner termini of thespiraled section, creating an extended flat side on one portion ofsupport member periphery.

An axle disposed in axle supports at the center of the spiral defined bythe support members connects them and supports a large spool. Additionalsmaller axles can be installed between the support members, creating asystem for holding multiple smaller spools. A handle, disposed at theperiphery of the support members, helps maintain synchronous supportmember movement when operating the system. Wheels attached near thesupport member periphery allow operators to move the device intoposition adjacent spooled material when necessary.

With the device adjacent a spool, an operator uses the handle to rotatethe support members along their expanding peripheries until the axlesupport aligns with the spool's central axis. After installing the axlethrough the spool, the support members can be rotated further, elevatingthe spool. Once the spool is able to spin freely, anchors or “chocks”engage the support members and hold them in place. This type ofoperation contemplates lifting large spools that must be lifted withassistance. For smaller spools, an operator can simply thread multiplespools on smaller axles adjoining the support members at a variety oflocations.

The support members comprise a uniform array of smaller axle supportsfor holding many smaller spools. An operator can support and dispensedifferent stranded materials from a variety of spools simultaneously inthis manner. Additionally, the smaller axle holes serve multiplefunctions, supporting alternatively the handle, wheels, and anchors invarious positions. The smaller axle holes can also hold the wheels andanchors on the support members when necessary for storage.

In an alternate embodiment, the support members may comprise aperipheral edge connected to spokes radiating from the central axlesupport, the spoke length varying according to the changing distance ofthe peripheral edge from the central axle support. Smaller axle supportsin this embodiment are disposed at various positions along the spokes.This embodiment decreases the device's weight. In another embodiment,the logarithmically increasing peripheral edge of the support memberscomprises a series of straight line and angle segments providing aseries of flat surfaces on which the support members can rest.

The anchors comprise wedge-shaped members or “chocks” that hold thedevice in position when spools are elevated. A channel running along oneside of the anchor contains or “sandwiches” a portion of the supportmember peripheral edge. Pegs on the anchors insert into various supportmember axle supports to lock the anchors in place. Operators can alsouse the pegs to store the anchors inward from the peripheral edge on thesupport members when not in use. A slot disposed in the walls of theanchor channel corresponds in size to the smaller axle members. Asmaller axle seats in the slot to secure the device in place. In apreferred embodiment, this slot fits the handle as well.

FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the support device holding a largespool.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the spool support system adapted to holdmultiple spools.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a support member, wherein the peripheryof the support member comprises a series of straight sides and angles.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a support member, wherein spokes project fromthe central axle support to the peripheral edge of the support member.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an anchor.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a spool support, wherein a transport wheel andanchor are stored on the spool support.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a spool supportdevice 10 for elevating and holding stranded material 22 dispensingspools 20. The device 10 comprises two support members 12 of equal shapeand size. The support members 12 are defined by a roundedlogarithmically increasing peripheral section 14 around at least aportion of the support member 12. The rounded section 14 defines aportion of a spiral allowing the support members 12 to operate as camswhen rotated. Mathematically, in one preferred embodiment, the spiralportion defines a logarithmic or “golden” spiral according to the polarcoordinate equation r=ae^(be).

The peripheral section of the support members 12 not comprising a spiralcomprises a straight line segment connecting the outer and inner terminiof the spiraled section 14, resulting in an extended flat side 13 to onepart of the support member 12 periphery. When the device 10 rests onthis flat side 13, the support members 12 are in their lowest position.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the system also comprises an axle support 16at the geometric center of the spiral section of the support members 12.The axle support 16 may simply comprise a reinforced bore (not shown)disposed in each support member 12, or may further comprise a collar 16for anchoring the axle 18 and support members 12 against undesiredmovement. An axle 18 disposed in the axle support 16 extends through aspool 20 center. In this manner, when lifted, the spool 20 spins freely,dispensing spooled material 22. A handle 24, extends through the supportmembers 12. In one embodiment, the handle 24 is located at the supportmember 12 periphery 14, and in a further embodiment, where theperipheral edge 14 is farthest away from the axle support 16. The handle24 allows an operator to maintain synchronous movement of the supportmembers 12 when elevating a spool.

Still referring to FIG. 1, once an axle 18 is installed in the device 10and spool 20, the support members 12 can be rotated with the handle 24,elevating the spool 20 off the ground. Anchors 28 hold the supportmembers in position upon elevating the spool 20.

Referring to FIG. 2, the system comprises wheels 26 that attach to thesupport members 12. The wheels 26 allow an operator to easily transportthe device 10 to a large spool 20 of heavy material. Since an operatorcan set the wheels 26 near the periphery 14 of the support members 12,rotating the device 10 transfers the spool load from the wheels 26 tothe support members 12. By rotating the device along the expandingspiral periphery 14 the device 10 can lift and support a large heavyspool.

Still referring to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the systemcomprises a plurality of smaller axle holes 30 incorporated in an arrayacross the support members' 12 sides. Since the smaller axle holes 30support multiple smaller axles 31 and spools, they comprise simple boresin the support members 12. However, in alternate embodiments, thesmaller axle holes 30 may also comprise bushings (not shown) intended todecrease mechanical stress on the smaller axle holes 30 and support theaxles 31. Smaller axle holes 30 are disposed in a uniform array,permitting multiple spool installation onto the device. In one preferredembodiment, they are uniformly spaced and greater than 3.5 inches apartfor supporting a maximum number of standard seven-inch spools.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the smaller axle holes 30 can serve multiplefunctions, including alternate supports for the handle 24, wheels 26,and anchor 28; which may be inserted interchangeably into any of thesmaller axle holes 30. In this manner, both the wheels 26 and the anchor28 may be stored on the surface of the support members 12 away fromtheir peripheral edges 14 when necessary.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, two alternate embodiments of the supportmembers are shown. In FIG. 3, the logarithmically increasing periphery14 of the support members 12 comprises a series of straight linesegments 34 and angles 36, resulting in a series of surfaces on whichthe support members 12 can rest when fixed in various positions. In FIG.4, the support members 12 comprise spokes 32 radiating from the centralaxle support 16, to the support member 12 periphery 14; wherein thespokes 32 vary in length to accommodate the changing periphery 14distance. The smaller axle holders 30 are disposed at various locationsalong the spokes 32 in this embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the anchors 28 comprise wedge-shaped members or“chocks” to hold the support members in place. The anchors 28 comprisetriangular blocks with a channel 38 disposed along one side forcontaining or “sandwiching” the peripheral edge of the support members.The anchoring members 28 further comprise pegs 40 that insert into thesmaller axle holes allowing the support members to store the anchors 28if necessary. A slot 42 disposed in the channel wall at the channel 38top corresponds in size to the smaller axles of the device. A smalleraxle may be disposed in the slot 42, allowing the anchors 38 to securethe support members in place.

Referring to FIG. 6, a side view of a support member 12 is shown storingan anchor 28 and wheel 26. In this embodiment, when not in use, thesupport members can be stacked flat. The central axle support 16,configured to accept the central axle supports of adjacent supportmembers, holds them in position.

To use the device, an operator positions it adjacent a spool of materialand ensures that the support members are on either side of the flangesof the spool. The device is rotated and maneuvered until the axlesupport aligns with the central axis of the spool. An axle can then beinserted into the device and spool. To raise the spool, an operatorlifts the handle, causing the support members to rotate until theperipheral edge of the support member meets the ground. As the operatorcontinues to rotate the device, the spool lifts off the ground. When thespool is sufficiently elevated, anchors inserted beneath the device holdit in position.

In an embodiment for lifting multiple smaller spools, several smalleraxles are inserted through the array of smaller axle holes across theface of the support member and through multiple smaller spools. Once thespools are supported on the device, an operator elevates them in thesame manner as a larger spool. An alternative use for this arrangementof spools is to attach the wheels of the device for transportingmultiple smaller spools at the same time.

All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanyingclaims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative featuresserving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly statedotherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent orsimilar features.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, various modifications and substitutions may be madethereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has beendescribed by way of illustration and not limitation.

1. An improved spool support system comprising: a. two support membersof equal profile, comprising axle supports for supporting at least oneaxle and having rounded logarithmically increasing peripheral edgesaround at least a portion of the support members, the rounded portiondefining a spiral; and b. at least one axle connecting the two supportmembers, wherein the axle supports at least one spool for containingflexible material; and c. at least one anchor for holding the system ina static position.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein a portion of thespiral is formed by the peripheral edges of the support membersaccording to the coordinate equation: r=ae^(be).
 3. The system of claim1, wherein the logarithmically increasing section of the peripheraledges of the support members comprises a series of straight linesegments and angles.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the supportmembers comprise solid panels, further comprising at least one hole forsupporting an axle, and wherein at least one hole is disposed at theorigin of the spiral formed by the logarithmically increasing section ofthe peripheral edges of the support members.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the support members comprise spoke members extending to andsupporting a peripheral member defining the edges of the supportmembers, and wherein the spoke members extend from the origin of thespiral formed by the logarithmically increasing section of theperipheral edges of a member
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein a seriesof axle supports for supporting multiple spools on multiple axles aredisposed in the support members.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein astandard distance between the multiple axle supports permits the supportof multiple spools of a standard size, including seven inch spools; andwherein the multiple axle supports comprise a uniform array of axlesupports.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes a handlefor keeping the support members synchronized as the system is rotated.9. The system of claim 8, wherein the handle is disposed at the outerterminus of the logarithmically increasing portion of the peripheraledge, and is connected to both support members.
 10. The system of claim1, wherein the at least one anchor comprises a wedge shaped member, or“chock.”
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one anchorcomprises a slot in which the support members are disposed.
 12. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the at least one anchor anchors to at leastone specific location on the support members, thereby maintaining theposition of the holder relative to the support members.
 13. The systemof claim 12, wherein the support members comprise multiple locations forholding multiple axles and anchors in the system.
 14. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the at least one anchor can be inserted into the axlesupport away from the periphery of the system and stored until use. 15.The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one anchor comprises a slotfor accommodating an axle of the system.
 16. The system of claim 6,wherein a set of wheels are disposed at the peripheral edge of thesystem; and wherein when the system is rotated to a predeterminedposition, the wheels engage the ground and support the system fortransport.
 17. The system of claim 7, wherein an axle support for wheelsis a part of the array of axle supports.
 18. The system of claim 1,wherein a portion of the periphery of the support members notrepresenting a section of a logarithmic spiral comprises a straight linesegment connecting the outer and inner termini of the spiral section.19. The system of claim 1, wherein the parts of the system can bedisassembled for storage or transport, and reassembled.
 20. A method forusing a spool support system comprising the steps of: a. installing aspool onto an axle disposed between two support members of equalprofile, the support members comprising connected by at least one axleand having rounded logarithmically increasing peripheral edges around atleast a portion of the support members, the rounded portion defining aspiral; wherein the support is positioned so that the center of thespool is aligned with the axle support of the support members and anaxle is installed into the system and spool. b. rotating the supportmembers using a handle, so that the increasing peripheral edge of thesupport members causes the spool to be elevated above the ground; and c.Installing an anchor on each support member to preserve the position ofthe support members once the spool has reached a predetermined heightabove the ground.